Javier Bardem is speaking out in support of Film Workers for Palestine.
“Regarding the Film Workers for Palestine pledge, I want this to be very clear,” he said in a statement to CNN. “We do not discriminate against any person based on their nationality, race, religion, or gender. We of course believe discrimination of any kind is wrong and do NOT support that and have continued to reiterate this. We support holding companies and institutions all over the world accountable, NOT individuals, for their complicity and participation in the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the illegal settlement of the West Bank.”
Earlier in September, more than 3,900 industry leaders signed a pledge against working with Israeli film institutions and companies that are “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.” The list of signatures includes filmmakers and actors like Bardem, Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, Adam McKay, Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebiri, Lily Gladstone, Mark Ruffalo, Hannah Einbinder, Peter Sarsgaard, Aimee Lou Wood, Paapa Essiedu, Gael Garcia Bernal, Riz Ahmed, Joaquin Phoenix, Nicola Coughlan, Andrew Garfield, Harris Dickinson, Bowen Yang, Rooney Mara, Guy Pearce, Jonathan Glazer, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Fisher Stevens, Abbi Jacobson, Eric Andre and Elliot Page.
In October, U.K. Lawyers for Israel sent a letter of warning to Netflix, Disney, Amazon Studios, Apple and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others, stating that the boycott violates the U.K.’s Equality Act and may impact financing and insurance.
“[The Equality Act 2010] is the key legislation in the U.K. protecting against racism and discriminatory treatment,” states the letter, which has been seen by Variety. “If the U.K. television and film industry colludes with acts contrary to this legislation, organizations are themselves likely to be in breach. It also creates a dangerous precedent: one that condones the exclusion of individuals and/or organizations based solely on their nationality, ethnicity, and/or religion.”
On Friday, Variety exclusively reported Warner Bros.’s own statement against the boycott. The studio said it is “committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for its employees, collaborators, and other stakeholders,” and that participating in the movement would most likely violate internal policies.
“Our policies prohibit discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on race, religion, national origin or ancestry,” said the studio. “We believe a boycott of Israeli film institutions violates our policies. While we respect the rights of individuals and groups to express their views and advocate for causes, we will continue to align our business practices with the requirements of our policies and the law.”
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Bardem is one of Hollywood’s most outspoken voices against the conflict between Israel and Palestine. In the weeks following the release of Film Workers for Palestine’s pledge, he further explained to Variety on the 2025 Emmys red carpet his choice to join the cause.
“Here I am today, denouncing the genocide in Gaza,” he said. “I am talking about the IAGS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, who study thoroughly genocide and has declared it is a genocide. That’s why we ask for a commercial and diplomatic blockade and also sanctions on Israel to stop the genocide. Free Palestine.”
From Variety US